Study of First 200 Post-Conviction DNA Exonerations Shows Flawed Criminal System

In Judging Innocence (SSRN), Virginia law prof Brandon Garrett’s groundbreaking study examining the cases of the first 200 wrongly convicted people later found innocent through DNA testing reveals fundamental flaws in the criminal system. The study is the first comprehensive inquiry to explore the cases, examined evidence introduced during the appellants’ initial trials, each claim they raised during their appeals, how courts ruled on them, and how DNA testing ultimately freed them. [JH]